Hogs Look Strong During Saturday Practice

BY ANDRES FOCIL

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Razorback football team wrapped its Saturday morning practice with goal line situations pitting the offensive and defensive first teams against one another. The drill cappeda 90-minute workout inside the Willard and Pat Walker Pavilion.

Interim head coach Reggie Herring has liked what he has seen from his players during the two practices in preparation for Arkansas’ game against Missouri Jan. 1 at the Cotton Bowl.

“This is two (practices) in a row now where we’ve asked our players to come out here and be focused, be fundamentally sound and execute,” Herring said. “There was a lot of contact out there and (it was) a very spirited practice. As we put these game plans in, they’ll continue to get a better feel of what they’re doing.”

Receivers Robert Johnson and Marcus Monk returned to practice Saturday and Herring thought the two seniors moved around well and looked good in their route running. He also recognized Reggie Fish and Carlton Salters as two players that have stood out in recent workouts.

The offense continued to look strong under the direction of Casey Dick. Herring said the junior quarterback is picking the right time to play at such a high level.

“Casey Dick is throwing the ball about like he did in the LSU game,” Herring said. “He’s probably throwing the ball as well as he has all year. Even Coach (David) Lee mentioned today, (Casey) is starting to really get it and it couldn’t happen at a better time for us.”

With so many Razorbacks on the roster that call Texas home, Herring said it will be exciting for those players and their teammates to play in the Cotton Bowl and have the opportunity to play in front of friends and family.

“(Playing in the Cotton Bowl) is extra incentive,” Herring said. “They’re all excited and the Cotton Bowl is an extremely large bowl. It’s a bowl of importance and it means a lot to these players. There’s definitely an extra incentive for these guys and their only problem right now is finding enough tickets.”

Arkansas will return to the practice fields Tuesday as the players continue to prepare for the program’s 11th trip to the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic. Log on to www.hogwired.com for continued coverage of Razorback football.